Section 19: Communications Signs

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Exceptionally, a sign was provided at the point where CSR or NRN radio coverage ended. The CSR termination board on the Grain branch at Hoo Junction had the letters "CSR" in the centre, with a red diagonal cross superimposed [19.19], while those at the north end of Bletchley station were of similar appearance to an ordinary CSR channel indicator (including the channel code) with a red diagonal cross added [19.20]. The latter format was shared by an NRN termination board at Barking, which had the initials "NRN" at the top [19.21], although its background was also in the style of a CSR channel indicator.

[19.19] CSR Termination Board. Area: Hoo Junction   Usage: Low   Status: Historical	[19.20] CSR Termination Board. Area: Bletchley   Usage: Low   Status: Historical	[19.21] NRN Termination Board. Area: Barking   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

In North Kent, a non-standard form of alias plate with a white background and the letters "CSR" [19.22] was used instead of the standard type with a blue background (see [19.13]).

[19.22] Non-standard CSR Alias Plate. Area: North Kent   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

Some single-platform terminal stations in the Scotland Zone that were covered by the CSR system had no signals present. To assist drivers with setting up the CSR at these locations, a sign was installed showing the identity of the first stop signal beyond the station [19.23].

[19.23] "Set-Up Signal" Sign. Area: Scotland Zone   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

The "Global System for Mobile communications-Railway" (GSM-R) is a digital system that replaced the outdated analogue CSR and NRN systems, which were decommissioned between 2011 and 2019. In connection with GSM-R trials, in November 2001 signs were installed at Oxford and Didcot Parkway stations, where the CSR/GSM-R changeover took place. These signs only applied to Class 165 and 166 trains. At Oxford, the signs advised drivers of northbound Cotswold Line services to switch on GSM [19.24], or CSR in the case of southbound services [19.25]. The signs installed at the west end of Didcot Parkway station (Platforms 3 and 4), where services changed direction, reminded drivers to switch from one system to the other [19.26].

[19.24] "Switch On GSM" Sign. Area: Oxford   Usage: Low   Status: Historical	[19.25] "Switch On CSR" Sign. Area: Oxford   Usage: Low   Status: Historical	[19.26] "Changeover CSR / GSM" Sign. Area: Didcot Parkway   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

From November 2002, drivers working over certain routes were issued with a GSM-R (IVRS) hand portable ("IVRS" stands for 'Interim Voice Radio System'). The GSM-R (IVRS) hand portable was to be used in designated areas to contact the signalman in an emergency when protection of the line was required. This was a safety requirement in areas where axle counters replaced track circuits as the means of train detection. With the GSM-R system, there are no channel codes, but signs are installed to mark the entrance to and exit from a GSM-R radio network area, including IVRS areas. The entry board resembles a CSR channel indicator (see [19.15]) but has the initials "GSM-R" at the top and shows no channel code [19.27]. The original form of exit board was similar but had a red diagonal stripe superimposed [19.28]. The later, standard, form of exit board has a red diagonal cross [19.29] instead of the single diagonal stripe.

[19.27] GSM-R Entry Board. Area: All Areas   Usage: High   Status: Current	[19.28] GSM-R Exit Board. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical	[19.29] GSM-R Exit Board. Area: All Areas   Usage: High   Status: Current

Track circuit train detection in the Stoke-on-Trent area gave way to axle counters under a resignalling scheme in May 2002, and consequently track circuit operating clips could no longer be used to provide protection in an emergency. To compensate, emergency lineside telephones were installed throughout the area at intervals of no more than 500 yards (457 metres), and signs stating the relevant ETD telephone number for the signalling centre [19.30] were attached to overhead line structures for the information of personnel wishing to make an emergency radio call. ETD (Extension Trunk Dialling) is the railway's internal telephone network.

[19.30] ETD Telephone Sign. Area: Stoke-on-Trent area   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical

The GSM-P system, which facilitated emergency contact between Operations Control and drivers, was in use on the lines from Birmingham (Small Heath South Junction) to Hartlebury, Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury. Signs were installed to remind drivers to switch on the GSM-P [19.31] or CSR [19.32] as appropriate.

[19.31] "Switch On GSM" Sign. Area: Midlands Zone   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical	[19.32] "Switch On CSR" Sign. Area: Midlands Zone   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical

A small plate could be fitted to a signal controlling the exit from a siding as a reminder of the applicable CSR channel code [19.33]. Similarly, a CSR alias plate could incorporate a reminder of the channel code [19.34].

[19.33] CSR Channel Code Reminder Sign. Area: Wessex Route   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical	[19.34] CSR Alias Plate with Channel Code Reminder. Area: South West Trains   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical

Trials of a fully functional GSM-R system commenced on the Glasgow North Electric lines in October 2007. A distinct alias plate for GSM-R [19.35] was required because it could be co-located with a CSR alias plate (see [19.13]). A GSM-R alias plate shows the three-digit number to be entered when registering the GSM-R cab radio. The three digits do not necessarily match the last three digits of the four-digit number used for CSR set-up purposes.

[19.35] GSM-R Alias Plate. Area: All Areas   Usage: High   Status: Current

From c.2008, signs were provided on some platforms at stations managed by Southern, giving information for drivers carrying out the CSR 'set up' procedure. The first line of text stated the applicable direction, "Up" or "Down", together with an arrowhead pointing towards the track. The second line showed the CSR area code preceded by the letter "A" for "area" and followed by the letters "SU" for "set up", then the relevant signal number or alias code. The sign was surrounded by blue and white edging [19.36].

[19.36] CSR Set-Up Sign. Area: Southern   Usage: High   Status: Historical

At London Fenchurch Street station, CSR 'set up' signs stating the relevant area code and signal number were provided on each platform [19.37].

[19.37] CSR Set-Up Sign. Area: London Fenchurch Street   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

A new sign was introduced in 2009, which combined a GSM-R exit board (see [19.29]) and an NRN channel indicator (see [19.16]) onto a single board [19.38].

[19.38] Combined GSM-R Exit Board and NRN Channel Indicator. Area: All Areas   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

The standard GSM-R entry and exit boards (see [19.27 & 19.29]) made no distinction between areas where GSM-R was fully operational and those where only IVRS (Interim Voice Radio System) was in use. New signs were therefore introduced in September 2010 to identify the entrance to and exit from an IVRS area. The entry board had the letters "IVRS" at the top and a large letter "I" in the centre [19.39]. The exit board was similar but had a red diagonal cross superimposed [19.40]. These signs replaced the former GSM-R entry and exit boards, which were then only used to denote areas with full GSM-R operation.

[19.39] IVRS Entry Board. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical	[19.40] IVRS Exit Board. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Historical

At locations where shunting instructions can be given over GSM-R radio, it is possible to establish a 'common shunt group' in which the driver and shunter or yard controller may discuss proposed shunting movements. To join the common shunt group, the driver has to enter a three-digit location code, which is indicated on a sign erected at the entrance to the yard [19.41].

[19.41] Common Shunt Group Access Code Sign. Area: All Areas   Usage: Low   Status: Current